I jump to my feet and draw Blitz at the sound of the strange voice. I quickly look all around but I don't see or smell anyone else.

'Summon Bones!'

"You can come in but your hands better be empty and where I can see them!"

A man appears as if by magic, although he just blended in so well with the grass that it seemed like magic. He is dressed for camouflage and appears to be very skilled, either a hunter or a scout would be my guess. Even now that I can see him I can't smell him, there could easily be others nearby if they are as skilled as him.

"Who are you? And what do you want?"

Hawk says "My name is Hawk, and I work for the rebellion. I was ordered to find you and guide you safely to the rebel camp to meet our leader."

"Are you alone, Hawk?"

Hawk says "There are twenty other scouts scattered across the plains but I am the only one here. Well, other than my partner."

He holds his arm out and lets out a piercing whistle, a minute later a hawk lands on his arm. This must be what he meant by partner, the hawk seems normal although I detect a glint of intelligence in its eyes. Not sensing any hostility from Hawk I decide to sheath Blitz and sit back down before motioning him to join us.

"So, how did you find me?"

Hawk says "Our leader ordered us into the plains as soon as we heard about the heros being sent out here to hunt you. Other than that it was just luck that I was the one who ran into you."

"Your leader seems to have put a lot of effort into finding me, why is that?"

Hawk says "We share a common enemy in the king, and word of your actions against him has spread throughout the kingdom."

"Well, I was already planning to head to the forest, but first I must reunite with my friends."

Hawk says "Oh, where are they?"

"They should be four or five days west of here."

Hawk says "Then I will help you find them! Then I will guide all of you to our base."

"Alright, sounds good."

Since Isabella still has her little truth bird out I know Hawk hasn't told any lies so I think I can trust him. It would make sense for the rebels to be looking for me, if nothing else I'm sure they want information from me. I will just wait and see how it goes, for now I will start making some drake stew for dinner.

Hawk says "So is she your prisoner? I recognize her as one of the king's heroes."

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"No, she was betrayed by the king and one of the heroes. She is on our side now. Her name is Isabella."

Isabella says "Hello."

Hawk says "Um, hi. Are you sure you can trust her?"

"So far I trust her more than I trust you."

Hawk says "Fair enough."

Isabella says "What is that? It smells so good!"

"It is drake meat."

Both say "WHAT!?!?!?"

"What's with the shouting?"

Hawk says "You can't just casually mention a legendary creature and not expect a reaction!"

Isabella says "Is it really drake meat? Where did you find it? How many people did it take to kill it?"

"Yes, it is really drake meat. I found it in a cavern below these plains, and I killed it by myself."

Both of them just stare at me with their mouths hanging open. Maybe I shouldn't have said that, after all Krenocia said the drake was capable of wiping out a city didn't she. Oh well, the cats out of the bag now, I doubt it will be much of a problem.

Isabella says "You seriously killed it all alone? The white knight over there didn't help?"

"Yeah, I hadn't created Bones yet. In fact he is made from the drake's bones."

Hawk says "Created? Made from? What do you mean??"

"Bones, take off your helm for a minute."

When Bones takes off his helmet both Isabella and Hawk gasp and lean away from him. When he sees that he scared them instead of looking hurt he chatters happily and puts his helm back on. So he apparently has a sadistic personality, which makes sense since he is undead.

Isabella says "So your class is death knight then?"

"Actually, I don't have a class."

Isabella says "Then how the hell are you so powerful?"

"That is a bit harder to explain. I am a unique type of mana beast, not a beastman. I have been growing and evolving as a mana beast since I was not able to take a class. I also have developed a lot of skills to increase my stats."

Isabella says "This might be a sore subject, but I've always been curious what was in that pit they threw you into."

So while I finish cooking and throughout our dinner I tell them all about the pit and the ancient sewers and the things I encountered down there. The only thing I don't tell them about is Drog, I don't think they need to know I have a demon with me or that I am part demon. They don't notice the omission, if anything they act like kids at story time.

Isabella says "What a horrible experience! Also, this is the most delicious food I have ever eaten!"

Hawk says "I have to agree with her on both points."

Isabella says "You have really been through some horrible things since you were summoned! I don't think I could have survived what you have been through."

"You would be surprised at what you can survive when you have a goal to achieve."

Hawk says "And what is this goal that fuels your survival?"

"To kill the king!"

Hawk says "As soon as we find some booze I will absolutely drink to that!"

Isabella says "Is that your only goal?"

"Of course not, just the most immediate."

Isabella says "Then why haven't you just killed him?"

"Because I am not strong enough yet to defeat the shadow demon that lives in the castle."

Hawk says "What? What shadow demon??"

"There is a rank seven shadow demon infesting the castle and hiding behind the king. Otherwise I would have already assassinated the king."

Hawk says "That is information we didn't have. Our leaders will be very glad of your help!"

Hawk takes a ribbon out of his shirt and ties it to his hawk's leg. He then throws the hawk into the air and it proceeds to fly off.

"What was that?"

Hawk says "A signal, it will lead the other scouts and any other rebel forces to gather to us. As I said we are all out here looking for you, but so are a lot of the king's forces. Our job now is to protect you and get you safely to our leaders."

Isabella says "Does it seem to you like he needs protection?"

Hawk says "Whether he needs it or not it is still our job. Besides, more people will make finding and protecting his friends easier."

"In that case I will accept your help. But next time it would be wiser to ask first."